British Rail Class 769

This article is about the multiple unit passenger train. For parcels variant, see British Rail Class 768.

British Rail Class 769
Flex
Northern Trains Class 769 at Stalybridge in 2024.
Interior of a Transport for Wales unit
Interior of a Transport for Wales unit
In serviceNovember 2020 – present[1]
Manufacturer
Built at
Family nameBR Second Generation (Mark 3)
Replaced
Constructed
  • 1987–1988, 1990
  • (converted 2017–2021)
Number in service8
Number scrapped1 vehicle[2]
OwnersPorterbrook
Operators
Depots
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel[3]
Car length
  • DT vehs.: 19.83 m (65 ft 1 in)
  • Others: 19.92 m (65 ft 4 in)[4]
Width2.82 m (9 ft 3 in)[4]
Height3.58 m (11 ft 9 in)[4]
DoorsDouble-leaf sliding pocket, each 1.010 m (3 ft 3.8 in) wide (2 per side per car)[3]
WheelbaseOver bogie centres:
14.170 m (46 ft 5.9 in)[3]
Maximum speed100 mph (161 km/h)
Prime mover(s)2 × MAN D2876 (one per DT vehicle)[5]
Engine typeInline-6 4-stroke turbo-diesel with SCR[6][5]
Displacement12.8 L (780 cu in)[6]
Traction motors4 × GEC G315BZ[4]
Power output390 kW (520 hp) per engine[5]
Electric system(s)
Current collector(s)
UIC classification2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′
Bogies
  • Powered: BREL P7-4
  • Unpowered: BREL T3-7[3]
Minimum turning radius70.4 m (231 ft 0 in)[3]
Braking system(s)Electro-pneumatic (disc)[3]
Safety system(s)
Coupling systemTightlock
Multiple workingWithin class
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The British Rail Class 769 Flex is a class of bi-mode multiple unit (BMU)[8][9][note 2] converted by Brush Traction, and running in service with Northern Trains. The train is a conversion of the existing Class 319 electric multiple unit (EMU), a conventional unit type which had become surplus to requirements during the 2010s.[11]

The conversion process is carried out by a partnership between the rolling stock leasing company Porterbrook and train manufacturer Brush Traction. The conversion principally involves the addition of a pair of MAN diesel engines (one under each driving trailer vehicle), the output of which is fed into ABB-provided alternators to power the existing electric traction systems.[11] According to Porterbrook, the Class 769's performance under diesel power is either equal or superior to that of a Class 150 Sprinter diesel multiple unit (DMU), and the switchover between EMU and DMU modes can be carried out while the train is in motion.[5]

  1. ^ Sherratt, P. (14 April 2021). "Wales awaits new fleets". Modern Railways. Stamford: Key Publishing. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Class 319 fleet in focus". Rail Express. No. 321. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. February 2023. p. 29. ISSN 1362-234X.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Vehicle Diagram Book No. 210 for Electric Multiple Units (including A.P.T.) (PDF). Derby: Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Department, British Railways Board. January 1988. EC209, EE233–EE234, EH234 (in work pp. 86–87, 176–179, 314–315). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 January 2015 – via Barrowmore MRG.
  4. ^ a b c d Class 319 Electric Multiple Unit (PDF) (1A ed.). Derby: Porterbrook Leasing Company. August 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 April 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference rail eng was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b "D2876 LUE63x Rail Engine". MAN Engines. München: Traton SE. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022.
  7. ^ "Sampling the troublesome 769s". Today's Railways UK. No. 242. April 2022. pp. 34–39.
  8. ^ "Flex Bi-modes set for May Start". Rail Magazine. No. 929. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. 21 April 2021. p. 26. ISSN 0953-4563.
  9. ^ "'Wales welcomes its first Bi-mode Class 769 FLEX". Rail Magazine. No. 875. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. 27 March 2019. p. 35. ISSN 0953-4563.
  10. ^ "Mainline testing begins for Flex Tri-modes". Rail Magazine. No. 929. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. 21 April 2021. p. 16. ISSN 0953-4563.
  11. ^ a b "UK's first tri-mode train is being introduced by Great Western Railway". Global Rail Review. Brasted: Russell Publishing. 25 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.


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